Lever press



Nov. 20, 1934. RUPP 1,981,198

' LEVER PRESS Filed July 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorney.

Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES ra l-s PATENT oFFier.

Application July 18, 1934, Serial No. 735,794. In Austria September 13, 1933 '7 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved lever press, more particularly for fruit, and has for its object, while providing a simple, effective, and reliable structure of this description, to ensure that the total compressing force be always applied vertically to the matter pressed, so that undue straining, damaging, or even destruction of the structure due to oblique pressing is precluded with certainty. This object is :8 attained by the arrangement that the power is applied at the apex of two or more converging beams each of which is 'iulcrumed at a different point, and each of which is adapted to transmit a different and variable portion of the total force to the matter pressed, so that a larger proportion of the total force is automatically brought to bear at any point at which greater resistance is encountered.

Forms of construction embodying the invention are shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 shows the lever press according to the invention, .in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan-view .of the same.

Fig. 3 demonstrates the action of the press blocks.

Figs. 4 and 5 show details ofthe press.

Figs. 6:.and '7 show a modified 'form of the press in accordance with the invention, in-sideelevation and'in-inverse plan view, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, the form of the press shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is provided with four beams which are fulcrumed to the framework 2 of the press at points 3 lying in a horizontal plane, and which converge at an acute angle to the axle 4 to which they are articulated, some fixedly, and some by means of a slot 5 (see Fig. 5) to allow for relative longitudinal play and to prevent straining or jamming of the beams during the descent of the latter. The downwardly extending press blocks 7 attached to the beams 1 have curved bearing surfaces 8 (Fig. 3) which are so curved that their point of application to the slightly cambered or plane upper surface of the distancing pieces 9, as the lever, block, and distancing piece descends during the pressing operation, does not as would be expected describe a curved line but approximately a straight ver- 50 tical line 10. What is achieved by this arrangement is that during the pressing there is no appreciable horizontal pull or thrust exerted on the fulcrum points 3, no undue straining of the levers occurs, and the friction at the bearing points of the pressure is reduced to a minimum.

(Cl. NOT-41) By virtue of the arrangement of the fulcrum points 3 in a horizontal plane, the points of application of the pressing force during the descent of the levers also remain approximately in a horizontal plane, sothat the total pressing force remains constantly vertical, and the greatest force is applied at any one time to the densest or highest heaped portions of the matter to be pressed, until equalization is obtained.

To the axle 4 there is applied the pressing force, jointly for all the levers, this force being derived, with or without leverage, from dead weight, hand power, or any other suitable power source. In the example shown, the pressing force 11 is exerted by hand or by means of heavy weights, through the intermediary of the lever 12 which can-be inserted with its forward end 13 into consecutive engagement with the holes 14 provided in a column 15 extending upwards from the framework of the press, and which transmits the pressing force 11, greatly multipled by leverage, to the tension link 16 which engages the lever 12 near the fulcrum thereof, and thence to the pressing levers. The pins 17 serve to retain the tension link 16 in the required position. For thepurpose of emptying the press cage the levers 1 are raised into theposition indicated by dottedlines, the lower endof the link 16 being supported in the hollow .18 at the top of .the column .15. As the leversare drawn downby hand or weight power applied to the lever 12, the end of the latter can be inserted into one after the other of the holes 14 as the work of pressing progresses.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the table of the press is provided with two press cages 21, 21 which co-act with the slab-shaped press blocks 22, 22' attached to a common pressing beam 23. Tension rods or the like 24, 24 are articulately connected to both ends of this beam 23, the other ends of these rods being again articulated to the outer ends of the pressing levers 25, 25' which are disposed beneath the table of the press and fulcrumed to the framework of the press at points 26, 26'. An upwardly acting force, generated in any desired manner, is arranged to be applied at the inner ends 29 of the pressing levers 25. In the form of construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 there is provided for this purpose a column 27 which is provided with a series of holes 28, and with which a handor otherwiseoperated lever is adapted to co-act in the same manner as the lever 12 in the form of construction shown in Fig. 4. For the transmission of the force to the pressing levers 25, there is usedin the present instance a rope or a chain 29 through the terminal ring 30 of which the.

lever end is inserted, and which travels over a roller or sheave 31 and made fast to the eyelet 32 from which the pressing force is transmitted by means of links 33, 33' to the pressing levers. By virtue of the symmetrical arrangement of the parts and of the provision of the stops 34, 34 the pressing beam 23 is maintained horizontal with certainty during its descent, so that the plate-shaped pressing blocks 22, 22, which can also be replaced by a plurality of individual pressing blocks, are invariably lowered horizontally on to the matter to be pressed, and exert a total force which remains permanently vertical. in consequence of oblique pressing is thereby precluded. In order to permit of lifting the parts into the raised position shown in dotted lines, after the pressing is concluded, there is made fast to the eyelet 32 a further cord 35 Whichtravels over the sheave 36, can be operated by hand, and is provided at its end with a book 37 which can be hooked into the column 27 at any convenient point to retain the press beam in the raised position.

, I claim:

1. In a lever press, more particularly for fruit, a press cage, at least two pressing levers fixedly fulcrumed at separate points and converging at an acute angle to a common point, and means for applying force to the said point, each of the said levers being adapted to transmit a difierent [and varying proportion of the said force to the matter for pressing in the said cage. 2. In a lever press, more particularly for fruit, a press cage, at least three pressing levers fixedly fulcrumed at separate points and converging "at an acute angle to a common point, means,

for applying force to the said point, and at least-three pressing .elements disposed. in one plane but not in a straight line and associated with the said levers at such points thereon as remain substantially in ,one horizontal ,plan

during the lowering of the said levers.

ly fulcrumed at separate points lying in one horizontal plane and converging at an acute angle to a common point, means for applying Destruction of the press construction.

force to the said point, a separate pressing element associated with each of the said levers} the compression of the matter to be pressed in.

the said cage, the c0'-acting surfaces of the said elements and blocks being so curved that the respective bearing points therebetween each describe an approximately straight perpendicular path during the descent of the said levers.

5. Ina lever press, more particularly for fruit,

a press cage, at least two pressing levers each fixedly fulcrumed at a separate point and converging at an acute angle to a common point, means for applying force at the said point, a press beam operatively associated with the said levers, and at least one pressing element ass0-,.

ciated with thesaid beam. v

6. In a lever press, more particularly for fruit, a press cage, a press table, at least two pressing levers fixedly fulcrumed at separate points and converging at anacute angle to a common point, a press beam operatively connected by each end with at least one "of the said levers, and at least one plate-shaped pressing element associated withthe said beam, each of the said press levers, at. either end of the saidbeam' being arranged,

beneath the said table and connected to the said beam by means of tension elements.

'7. In a lever press, more particularly for fruit,

a press cage, at least two pressing levers fixedly fulcrumed at separate points and converging at an acute angle to a point, and means for.

applying force at, the said point, said means comprisinga column having a plurality of holes,

. a lever adapted to engage the said, holes with 3. In a lever press, more. particularly for fruit, a press cage, at least three pressing levers fixedits forward end, and at least one connecting link interposed between the said common point and the said last-named lever near the fulcrum end thereof. 1

- OTTO RUPP.

i ls- 

